Opinion

Protecting salmon is part of doing business

In-mid August, when the silvers are running strong, we park the Kenworth, power down the chainsaws and head out on the water. Within an hour… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2017
  • By GORDON CHEW
In this Jan. 17, 2017 photo, state Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, talks with another legislator during a break in the opening session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau, Alaska. An Alaska state representative accused of inappropriate behavior by a former legislative aide says he apologizes if an encounter with him “made anyone uncomfortable.” Westlake released the statement after allegations against him were made public by the aide, Olivia Garrett, who did not work in Westlake’s office. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press File)

Westlake should resign

“Sweetheart.” “Honey.” “Baby.” How are we supposed to get any work done when you’re “dressed like that?” We’re disgusted by the actions of state Rep.… Continue reading

  • Dec 9, 2017
  • By THE JUNEAU EMPIRE EDITORIAL BOARD
In this Jan. 17, 2017 photo, state Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, talks with another legislator during a break in the opening session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau, Alaska. An Alaska state representative accused of inappropriate behavior by a former legislative aide says he apologizes if an encounter with him “made anyone uncomfortable.” Westlake released the statement after allegations against him were made public by the aide, Olivia Garrett, who did not work in Westlake’s office. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press File)
In this undated photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an airplane flies over caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. A showdown is looming in the nation’s capital over whether to open America’s largest wildlife refuge to oil drilling. A budget measure approved by the Republican-controlled Congress allows lawmakers to pursue legislation that would allow drilling on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge takes up an area nearly the size of South Carolina in Alaska’s northeast corner. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP)

Let’s not ruin Alaska’s Arctic Refuge

Standing on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge some years back, I watched in wonder as tens of thousands of caribou, many… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2017
  • By DEBBIE S. MILLER
In this undated photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an airplane flies over caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. A showdown is looming in the nation’s capital over whether to open America’s largest wildlife refuge to oil drilling. A budget measure approved by the Republican-controlled Congress allows lawmakers to pursue legislation that would allow drilling on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge takes up an area nearly the size of South Carolina in Alaska’s northeast corner. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP)

Logging doesn’t need to expand

Late last year, the U.S. Forest Service finalized the latest amendment to the Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (TLMP.) One of the focuses of… Continue reading

  • Dec 7, 2017
  • By MICHAEL COLE

Miners need assurance they can produce minerals for the nation

This week, reason prevailed and the American minerals supply chain won. After being forced into a nonsensical rulemaking process born from environmental litigation, the U.S.… Continue reading

  • Dec 6, 2017
  • By Phillips Baker

Alaska LNG: The time is now

Alaska now has the necessary alignment for the Alaska gasline LNG project. Mid-June 1970: one of the most important days in my life. It rained,… Continue reading

  • Dec 5, 2017
  • By GOV. BILL WALKER
Members of the U.S. Forest Service, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe and Yakutat Schools are seen at the Good Neighbor Tree blessing ceremony Nov. 22 before the tree was harvested and sent to Juneau that evening. (Courtesy Photo | Russel Wicka via the U.S. Forest Service)

Good neighbors and woosh.ji.een

As we head into the holiday season, I am reminded how much I appreciate the support of family, friends and good neighbors. As a large… Continue reading

  • Dec 4, 2017
  • By BETH PENDLETON
Members of the U.S. Forest Service, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe and Yakutat Schools are seen at the Good Neighbor Tree blessing ceremony Nov. 22 before the tree was harvested and sent to Juneau that evening. (Courtesy Photo | Russel Wicka via the U.S. Forest Service)

Here we go, again

Here we go again: Alaska is about to embark on another financial boondoggle. On Dec. 5, Fairbanks’ Interior Gas Utility is set to commit $60… Continue reading

  • Dec 4, 2017
  • By Pat Reilly

Urging a ‘no’ vote on the tax bill

I just received a letter from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, dated November 20, discussing her belief that the individual mandate aspect of the ACA is untenable… Continue reading

  • Dec 4, 2017
  • By LUANN MCVEY
Courtesy Image | Alaska State Council on the Arts These five license plates were the options for voters in the 2017 statewide contest. The winning design, at bottom left, by Anita Laulianen, features the aurora.

Governor’s Awards: Improving Alaska through the arts

Alaskans celebrate the artistic vitality of life in the Great Land throughout the year. The annual Governor’s Arts &Humanities Awards honor Alaskans who have distinguished… Continue reading

  • Dec 3, 2017
  • By Benjamin Brown
Courtesy Image | Alaska State Council on the Arts These five license plates were the options for voters in the 2017 statewide contest. The winning design, at bottom left, by Anita Laulianen, features the aurora.

Futility’s ray of hope

“Do you really think it’ll make a difference?” I was asked a question like that more than a dozen times last weekend while gathering signatures… Continue reading

  • Dec 3, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak
Laura Schepis (Courtesy photo)

When more is less: Higher oil and gas taxes are the wrong way forward for Alaska

Alaska’s citizens and the oil and gas industry have a long and mutually beneficial relationship. The industry continues to be a leading employer, generating over… Continue reading

  • Dec 1, 2017
  • By Laura Schepis
Laura Schepis (Courtesy photo)

Juneau football controversy underscores demographic trends

Recent dissension over sports programs in our two high schools is dominating social media. The issues involved dovetail with the release of a report by… Continue reading

  • Dec 1, 2017
  • By WIN GRUENING

Murkowski, the contortionist

A contortionist is one who bends their body is strange and unnatural ways. While U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is not bending her body, she… Continue reading

  • Dec 1, 2017
  • By Kate Troll
Image from C-SPAN video Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

When the sparrow meets the horse

We’ve been thinking a lot about Ronald Reagan this week. We’ve also been thinking about William Jennings Bryan. Back in 1980, when Reagan became president,… Continue reading

  • Dec 1, 2017
  • By THE JUNEAU EMPIRE EDITORIAL BOARD
Image from C-SPAN video Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Thursday.
Paul Landes (contributed photo)

GCI has always supported internet freedom — and we always will

Recently, net neutrality has emerged as an issue of growing concern to Americans who believe they should be in charge of their own internet experience… Continue reading

  • Nov 30, 2017
  • By Paul Landes
Paul Landes (contributed photo)
David Williams (contributed photo)

Don’t let new state taxes sacrifice positive trends in Alaska’s energy sector

After decades of decline following its peak in the 1980s, oil production in Alaska is showing some significant signs of progress. Put simply, the decline… Continue reading

  • Nov 30, 2017
  • By DAVID WILLIAMS
David Williams (contributed photo)
Matt Steele (Contributed photo)

Bringing back Alaska

Our beautiful state is in rough times. You can see it everywhere you go. Last week I travelled to the far away island of Adak… Continue reading

  • Nov 27, 2017
  • By not the view of the Juneau Empire.
Matt Steele (Contributed photo)

Believe the women: Don’t reward sexual abuse, harassment

Harvey Weinstein. Louis C.K. Bill O’Reilly. Kevin Spacey. Roy Moore. Donald Trump. Bill Clinton. Roger Ailes. Bill Cosby. Al Franken. A month ago, most of… Continue reading

  • Nov 24, 2017
  • By THE JUNEAU EMPIRE EDITORIAL BOARD

Of legacies not sought

There’s a lot written about John Barrymore’s life. You’ll find much less about Joe and Shirley “Muz” Ibach. So little that most of us hadn’t… Continue reading

  • Nov 24, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak